The Strain Theory Flashcards
who came up with this theory and what sociological theory does it link to?
MERTON
-functionalism, although Merton disagrees with their points of crime.
what is this theory called, compared to functionalism?
an internal critique
how is the strain theory similar to functionalism?
-shared n+vs and beliefs (value consensus)
-anomie causes crime
what are the differences between the strain theory and functionalism, which makes it more useful?
-Durkheim failed to explain why anomie occurs, while Merton does
-not as rose-tinted, as Merton acknowledges the inequality of meritocracy
what is a strain theory?
a theory that argues that people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.
when does deviance occur?
when there is a strain between the goals we are encouraged to achieve, and the structure of society that allows us to achieve legitimately.
what are some examples of common goals?
money, house, car, fame, material goods
what are some examples of common means, that are socially approved?
goof qualifications, university, high-paid job
what is the American Dream according to Merton?
-people value wealth and high status
-people are expected to pursue goals through legitimate means.
-dream of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses.’
-however, some people have blocked opportunities and cannot reach these
what is the strain to anomie?
in reality, there is inequality of opportunity and so people experience a strain, leading to people becoming normless.
what are the 5 deviant adaptations to strain?
-conformity
-innovation
-ritualism
-retreatism
-rebellion
explain conformity?
people accept goals and means
explain innovation?
people accept goals but reject legitimate means
explain ritualism?
people reject goals but accept means
explain retreatism?
people reject goals and means
explain rebellion?
people reject goals and means, and replace both with new ones (revolution/change)
-these people are usually political radicals and counter-cultures
what are the strengths of Merton’s strain theory?
-can be applied to modern day
-shows that not everyone reacts in the same way
-explains utilitarian crime, as these are common in official statistics
-acknowledges inequalities
what are the weaknesses of Merton’s strain theory?
-assumes everyone has the same goal
-focuses on WC crime
-only explain utilitarian crime
-only explains crime committed by individuals
-too deterministic, not all WC deviate
-assumes only lower classes commit crime
who came up with the subcultural strain theory?
Albert Cohen
who came up with the 3 types of subculture?
Cloward and Ohlin
what is the subcultural strain theory?
RESEARCH= young WC US boys in 1950s, deliquent
deliquent subcultures help boys, all in the same situation gain a sense of belonging
how is the cohen similar to merton?
-crime is a WC problem
-WC struggle to meet mainstream goals, caused by blocked opportunities
how is cohen different from merton?
-merton fails to discuss non-utilitarian crimes, and doesn’t discuss crime committed by groups
what are the causes of crime according to cohen?
-WC have inability to succeed in MC world
-dominated by MC norms, values and expectations
what is the AO2 for the subcultural strain theory?
-everyone learns the same values/goals through socialisatoon
-however, WC boys are less likely to achieve at school due to cultural deprivation
-they face anomie so unable to succeed.
what is the AO3 for the subcultural strain theory?
this leaves them at the bottom of the OFFICIAL STATUS HIERARCHY so the boys suffer STATUS FRUSTRATION
what is status frustration?
the boys turn to subcultural groups to gain status from peers
-they gain illegitimate status and climb the ALTERNATIVE STATUS HIERARCHY
what are the strengths of the subcultural strain theory?
-looks at crimes committed by groups
-offers explanation for non-utilitarian crimes
-gang culture that has been around for decades
what are the weaknesses of the subcultural strain theory?
-gender blind, ignores ladettes
-focuses only on WC
-assumes WC strive for MC goals, culturally different
-too deterministic, not all WC turn to crime
-too simplistic, subcultures may be more complex
what are the three subcultures according to CLOWARD and OHLIN?
-criminal subculture (present in areas with stable criminal culture/established criminal hierarchy.
-conflict subculture (present in areas with little social unity cohesion and informal social control
-retreatist subculture (central around drug abuse)
what did cloward and ohlin say about the three subcultures?
-WC youths denied legitimate opportunities to be successful, so join subcultures
what did cloward and ohlin say subcultures are based on?
-where you live
-the opportunity available
what is the criminal subculture?
-learning environment for young criminals from criminal role models
-crime becomes trade
what is the conflict subculture?
-commit crime to release frustrations
-alternative source of status by ‘winning turf’
what is the retreatist subculture?
-those who have failed to succeed in legitimate/illegitimate opportunity structures
-‘double failures.’
what is the evaluation of the three subcultures?
-agree crime is WC but ignore crimes of wealthy
-more useful, greater diversity of subcultural responses
-assumes that everyone starts off sharing the same mainstream goals and face status frustration.
-more useful than cohen as it shows more than one response
explain MATZAs Drift Theory?
-we drift in and out of deviant subcultures
-not strongly committed to subculture, so may turn deviant to satisfy needs
why is the drift theory useful?
explains that subcultures may only be a temporary response.
what is Miller’s the working class subculture?
-deviant behaviour does not occur in subcultures due to inability of LC in achieving mainstream success
-INSTEAD, Miller argues that MC and WC have their own distinctive set of basic values, beliefs and norms of behaviour they strive for
what are the four focal concerns that Miller mentions?
-toughness= attempt to maintain reputation (fighting)
-smartness= ‘street smart’, capacity to outfox, outwit and dupe others (fraud)
–excitement= the search for thrills (substance abuse)
-fate= little can be done about their lives, ‘what will be will be’
